Gaming apparatus

ABSTRACT

Gaming apparatus comprising a roulette arrangement operable to provide first and second roulette games and a selection arrangement operable by a user for selecting one play symbol for the first roulette game and for selecting at least one further play symbol for the second roulette game. A method of operating gaming apparatus is also provided.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority under 35 USC 119 of United KingdomPatent Application No. 0410756.1 filed May 14, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to gaming apparatus. More particularly, but notexclusively, this invention relates to gaming apparatus comprising aroulette wheel.

There are many known types of gaming apparatus, including apparatusproviding automated games of roulette. However, gaming apparatusinvolving traditional games of roulette are limited in scope in the typeof games that can be played.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is providedgaming apparatus comprising a roulette arrangement operable to provide agame comprising first and second roulette games, and a selectionarrangement operable by a user for selecting one play symbol for thefirst roulette game and for selecting at least one further play symbolfor the second roulette game.

Preferably the selection arrangement is operable for selecting at leasttwo further play symbols for the second roulette game.

Preferably the selection arrangement is operable by a user for selectingsaid one play symbol for the first roulette game prior to play of thefirst roulette game. Preferably the selection arrangement is operable bya user for selecting said further play symbols for the second roulettegame following play of the first roulette game, and desirably followingsuccessful play of the first roulette game. Alternatively, the selectionarrangement may be operable by a user for selecting said one play symbolfor the first roulette game and said further play symbol(s) for thesecond roulette game prior to play of the first roulette game.Preferably the selection arrangement enables a user to select the sameplay symbol for the or one or more of the further play symbol(s) as thesaid one play symbol.

The roulette arrangement is preferably operable to generate one playsymbol for the first roulette game preferably following selection ofsaid one play symbol by a user. The roulette arrangement is preferablyoperable to generate at least one further play symbol for the secondroulette game, and is desirably operable to generate said at least onefurther play symbol following selection of said further play symbol(s)by a user. Preferably the further play symbols are generatedsequentially during successive operations of the roulette arrangement.Alternatively, the roulette arrangement may be operable to generate saidfurther play symbols during a single operation of the roulettearrangement. The roulette arrangement is desirably operable to generatea number of play symbols in the second roulette game corresponding tothe number of further play symbols selected by the user for the secondroulette game. The arrangement may only generate said further playsymbols following successful play of the first roulette game.

The gaming apparatus preferably includes a storage arrangement forstoring said selected one play symbol for the first roulette game andfor storing said selected further play symbol(s) for the second roulettegame. The storage arrangement may comprise memory means toelectronically store the identity of the selected play symbols.

The gaming apparatus preferably includes a comparator for comparing saidstored selected one play symbol with said generated one play symbol, anddesirably provides for play of the second roulette game when said storedselected one play symbol corresponds with said generated one playsymbol. The comparator is preferably also arranged to compare the storedselected further play symbol(s) with said generated further playsymbol(s).

The gaming apparatus preferably includes win providing means associatedwith the comparator for providing a win when a predetermined combinationof selected and generated play symbols is achieved during the firstand/or second and/or both games. Preferably the win providing meansprovides a win when said stored selected one play symbol corresponds tosaid generated one play symbol. Preferably the win providing meansprovides a win when the stored further play symbol(s) correspond(s) tothe further play symbol(s) generated for said second game.

The win providing means may only provide a win if the selected one playsymbol and the further play symbol(s) are the same and desirably in thesame order as the respective generated symbols.

The win providing means may only provide a win if the order of selectionof the said further play symbols is the same as the order of generationof the further play symbols. Alternatively or in addition, the winproviding means may provide a win upon a predetermined degree ofcorrespondence between the selected play symbols and the generated playsymbols being achieved. For example, a predetermined degree ofcorrespondence may include the selected further play symbols being thesame as the generated play symbols, but the order of selection andgeneration not being the same. In a further example, a predetermineddegree of correspondence may include only some of the selected furtherplay symbols being among the generated further play symbols, and in suchan example it can be predetermined whether the order of selection andgeneration needs to be the same or not for a win to be provided. In theembodiment where only one further play symbol is selected a win may beprovided when the selected one play symbol and further play symbol arethe same as, and in the same order as the generated one play and furtherplay symbols.

Preferably, the play symbols are numbers.

Preferably, the roulette arrangement comprises a roulette wheel, or aroulette type wheel. The roulette arrangement may be a mechanicalarrangement, and means, such as a motor, may be provided for automaticrotation of the wheel upon actuation. As an alternative or in addition,the wheel or a part thereof may be accessible for manual rotation by auser. Alternatively, the roulette arrangement may be virtual and may beelectronically simulated in part or in whole, for example by video orother means and may be controlled by a computer.

In the preferred embodiment, the roulette arrangement comprises arotatable platform on which areas are defined, preferably with upwardlyextending formations, in which one or more objects such as a ball canlocate during operation. Preferably, each area provides for location ofa single object therein. Control means may be provided to provide forselective introduction of one or more objects to the rotatable platform.Preferably, the platform rotates upon or prior to the introduction ofthe one or more objects thereto.

The gaming apparatus may include sensor means to sense the position ofan object in the roulette wheel and thereby generate or sense a playsymbol when an object comes to rest on the wheel. The sensor means maycomprise weight, magnetic and/or light sensitive sensors. A sensor maybe provided in each of said areas and may be operable to sense thepresence of an object in the respective area.

Preferably, the comparator comprises a processing unit operable toreceive signals from the sensor means indicating the location of anobject on the wheel. The signal sent by the sensor means preferablycomprises or corresponds to a generated symbol, either a said one playsymbol or a further play symbol, depending upon whether the signal isgenerated during a first or second roulette game. The sensor means mayalso be operable to receive signals from the selection means indicatingthe, or each, area selected by the user. Alternatively or in addition,the comparator is operable to preferably receive signals from theselection means and to perform the aforesaid comparison of the selectedand generated symbol(s).

In one embodiment, removal means is provided to enable removal of the oreach object from its location on the wheel for return to the controlmeans. The roulette arrangement may further comprise an objectintroduction arrangement for introducing an object to the wheel.

In another embodiment, the roulette arrangement comprises a conventionalroulette wheel operable by a user, for example a croupier in a casino.

The selection arrangement may comprise buttons or functionallyequivalent means to enable the user to select said one play symbol forthe first roulette game and said further play symbols for the secondroulette game. A touch sensitive surface may be provided to enable theuser to select the symbols.

The storage arrangement may comprise a computer memory associated withsaid selection arrangement, whereby when the user has selected said oneand/or said further play symbols, information relating to the symbolsselected is passed to said storage arrangement for storage therein.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provideda method of operating gaming apparatus including a roulette arrangementoperable to provide a game comprising first and second roulette games,the method comprising selecting one play symbol for the first roulettegame and selecting at least one further play symbol for the secondroulette game.

The method preferably comprises selecting at least two further playsymbol for the second roulette game.

The method preferably comprises selecting said one play symbol and saidat least one further play symbol prior to play of the first roulettegame.

Preferably the method comprises selecting said one play symbol for thefirst roulette game and subsequently playing the first roulette game.Preferably the method comprises selecting said at least two further playsymbol following play of the first roulette game, and desirablyfollowing successful play of the first roulette game. Preferably themethod comprises playing the second roulette game following selection ofsaid at least two further play symbols. The step of selecting thefurther play symbols may comprise selecting the same play symbol for oneor more of the further play symbols as the user selected as the said oneplay symbol.

The method may comprise storing said selected one play symbol and saidselected at least two further play symbols. The method may compriseelectronically storing the selected play symbols in memory means.

The method may comprise generating one play symbol for the firstroulette game preferably following selection of said one play symbol bya user. The method may comprise generating at least one further playsymbol for the second roulette game preferably following selection ofsaid further play symbol(s) by a user. The method may comprisegenerating the further play symbols sequentially during successiveoperations of the roulette arrangement. Alternatively, the method maycomprise generating the further play symbols during a single operationof the roulette arrangement. The step of playing the second roulettegame may comprise playing a plurality of individual games, each of saidfurther play symbols being generated by each of the individual games.The method may comprise generating a plurality of play symbols for thesecond roulette game corresponding to the number of further play symbolsselected by the user for the second roulette game. Further play symbolsmay only be generated following successful play of the first roulettegame.

The method may comprise comparing said selected one play symbol withsaid generated one play symbol for the first roulette game, and mayfurther comprise enabling play of the second roulette game when saidselected one play symbol and said generated one play symbol correspond.

The method may comprise comparing stored selected further play symbol(s)with said generated further play symbol(s) for the second roulette game,and may comprise providing a win when a predetermined combination ofselected and generated play symbols is achieved during the first and/orsecond and/or both games. The method may comprise providing a win whensaid stored selected one play symbol corresponds to said generated oneplay symbol. Preferably the method comprises providing a win when thestored further play symbol(s) correspond(s) to the further playsymbol(s) generated for said second game. Preferably the method providesa win when both the selected one play symbol and further play symbol(s)correspond, and are desirably, in the same order as said generated oneplay and further play symbols.

The method may comprise providing a win if the order of selection of thesaid further play symbols is the same as the order of generation of thefurther play symbols. Alternatively or in addition, the method maycomprise providing a win upon a predetermined degree of correspondencebetween the selected play symbols and the generated play symbols beingachieved. For example, a predetermined degree of correspondence mayinclude the selected further play symbols being the same as thegenerated play symbols, but the order of selection and generation notbeing the same. In a further example, a predetermined degree ofcorrespondence may include only some of the selected further playsymbols being among the generated further play symbols, and in such anexample it can be predetermined whether the order of selection andgeneration needs to be the same or not for a win to be provided. In theembodiment where only one further play symbol is selected, a win may beprovided when the selected one play symbol and further play symbol arethe same as and in the same order as the generated one play and furtherplay symbols.

Preferably, the roulette arrangement can generate numbers as the playsymbols. The selection of the play symbols may comprise selection ofdifferent numbers.

Preferably, the roulette arrangement comprises a roulette wheel or aroulette type wheel, which may be a mechanical or a virtualelectronically simulated roulette or roulette type, wheel. The roulettearrangement may comprise a rotatable platform on which areas aredefined, preferably with upwardly extending formations for said numbers.Preferably, the roulette arrangement further includes one or moreobjects such as a ball to locate in the areas.

Preferably, the step or steps of selecting said one play symbol and/orsaid at least two further play symbols comprises pressing buttons orfunctionally equivalent means representing numbers, or touching regionsof a sensitive surface, e.g. a touch sensitive screen, wherein saidregions represent numbers to be selected.

In one embodiment, the method may involve selecting up to six numbersfor the second roulette game, and may involve generating up to sixnumbers during play of the second roulette game. The step of playing thesecond roulette game may comprise playing up to six individual roulettegames, and each of said further numbers may be generated by each of saidindividual roulette games. Preferably, a win is provided where thegenerated numbers for the second roulette game correspond with three ormore of the selected numbers for the second roulette game.

The method may comprise the use of gaming apparatus as described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way ofexample only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic side view of a gaming apparatus,

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic top view of the apparatus in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 shows a gaming assembly, and

FIG. 4 shows a further embodiment of a gaming apparatus in the form of aroulette arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the drawings, there is provided gaming apparatus 10comprising a roulette arrangement operable to provide a game comprisingfirst and second roulette games, and a selection arrangement 12 operableby a user for selecting one play symbol for the first roulette game andfor selecting at least one further play symbols for the second roulettegame.

In more detail, the gaming apparatus 10 comprises a cabinet 11 housingthe components thereof. The apparatus 10 comprises the selectionarrangement 12 to enable a user to select a plurality of play symbols inthe form of numbers. The apparatus 10 also includes number generationmeans in the form of a roulette assembly 14 comprising a wheel 16 drivenby a motor 17 and a ball introduction means 18 for introducing an objectsuch as a ball 20, or a plurality of balls 20, to the wheel 16. Thewheel 16 has areas 16A defined by raised walls 16B. Each area 16A isdesignated by a respective number from 0 to 36. A ball 20 can locate inany one of the areas 16A, and the number of the respective arearepresents the play symbol generated by the roulette arrangement 14.

The apparatus 10 also includes a processor 22 for controlling theselection arrangement 12 and the roulette assembly 14. The processor 22is connected to the selection arrangement 12 and the roulette assembly14.

The processor 22 is connected to the selection arrangement 12 bysuitable means known in the art, and this connection is represented bythe broken line 24. Similarly, the processor 22 is connected to theroulette assembly 14 by suitable means known in the art as representedby the broken line 26.

The apparatus 10 further includes insertion means 28 for the user toinsert a predetermined amount of credit to activate the apparatus 10.The credit may be in the form of coins, tokens or a credit card. Theinsertion means 28 is in the form of an insertion plate 30, whichdefines an insertion slot, behind which is mounted a coin detectionarrangement 32 to ensure that the inserted coins or tokens areappropriate for the game. In the event that the coins inserted areinappropriate, they will be detected as such by the detectionarrangement 32 and rejected via a rejection slot also defined in theinsertion plate 30.

Appropriate coins or tokens are delivered via a coin conduit 34 to acoin storage container 36 for storing coins or tokens inserted into theapparatus 10. The coin storage container 36 comprises a coin holder 37and dispensing means 38 for dispensing coins or tokens held by the coinholder 37 via a win retrieval chute 40 to an aperture 42 in a lower partof the apparatus 10. The coin storage container 36 is connected to theprocessor 22 by a suitable connection represented by the broken line 39.

The processor 22 is also connected, as represented by the broken line44, to the introduction means 18 for introducing a ball 20 to theroulette wheel 16, as represented by the arrow A. The roulette assembly14 also includes sensing means 46 for sensing in which of the areas 16Aon the roulette wheel a ball 20 has located during play. The sensingmeans 46 is connected to the processor 22 by a suitable connectionrepresented by the broken line 47. The processor 22 includes storagemeans in the form of a memory 22B for storing signals sent thereto bythe sensing means 46 and corresponding to the numbers or symbols of theareas 16A into which a ball 20 locates.

Referring to FIG. 2, a top plan view of the apparatus 10 is shown, inwhich it can be seen that the plurality of areas 16A of the wheel 16 areseparated from each other by the raised walls 16B. Each of the areas 16Ais designated by a number from 0 to 36.

The selection arrangement 12 comprises a plurality of buttons 48 from 1to 9 and 0 and a screen 50 to provide the user with guidance andinstructions and to indicate the numbers selected by the user.

An ‘ENTER’ button 52 is provided for the user to enter the selectednumbers to be stored in the memory 22B of the processor 22, and a backspace button 54 for the user to make any desired changes to theselection prior to entry. A start button 56 is also provided for theuser to start the game.

In operation, the gaming apparatus 10 is used to play a game comprisingfirst and second roulette games. A user firstly inserts coins or tokensto the appropriate value into the coin receiving slot in the plate 30.The screen 50 then displays the words “place bets” and the user thentaps the appropriate buttons 48 on the selection means 12 to choose thedesired one number for use in the first roulette game. After the desirednumber is tapped in, the user presses the ‘ENTER’ button 52 to store theselected number in the memory 22B. In one embodiment of the inventionwhere the second roulette game only involves the selection of onefurther play symbol, the user selects a desired symbol or symbols, againusing the buttons 48 and confirms his selection by pressing the ‘ENTER’button 52.

Once the user has selected the desired one number for the first roulettegame and the other number for the second game. the start button 56 ispressed to actuate the motor 17 and rotate the wheel 16. After the wheel16 has been accelerated to the desired speed, the introduction means 18then introduces a ball 20 into the roulette wheel 16 and, as will beappreciated by the person skilled in the art, the ball 20 eventuallylocates in one of the areas 16A. The sensing means 46 senses in whicharea 16A the ball 20 has located, and sends a signal relating to thenumber or symbol thus generated to the memory 22B.

The ball 20 is then removed from location on the wheel 16 byconventional means. The user then reactivates the wheel 16 to generatethe further play symbol in similar fashion as described above. Thesignal relating to the further number or symbol thus generated is sentto the memory 22B.

The processor 22 includes a comparator 22A which is operable to comparethe numbers selected by the user for the first and second roulette gameswith the respective numbers generated by the roulette arrangement, whichare stored in the memory 22B. If the selected and generated numberscorrespond, the game is deemed to have been successful and a win isachieved.

In a further embodiment, where the second roulette game provides for theselection of two or more further play symbols, the user may select thesefurther play symbols either at the same time as selecting the said oneplay symbol or following play of the first roulette game. If desired, itcan be a prerequisite to have successfully played the first roulettegame before being able to play the second roulette game. However, thepresent invention does provide for the play of the second game even ifplay of the first game was unsuccessful. In such cases the one playsymbol selected may be compared along with the said further selectedsymbols against all the generated symbols, and a win determinedaccording to predetermined degrees of correspondence. In other words, ifa predetermined number of all the selected symbols (i.e. one play symboland further play symbols) corresponds to a predetermined numbergenerated symbols (both one play and further play), then this can beconsidered successful play. For example, if all the selected symbols arethe same as all the generated symbols, but the latter were generated ina different sequence to the selection sequence, this can still be asuccessful play even if all the symbols are of a different order. Also,if only some of the selected symbols correspond to the generatedsymbols, this may be predetermined as sufficient for successful play.For example if the one play symbol selected was the number 2, theselected further symbols were 6, 9, 30, the generated one play symbolnumber 9 and the generated further play symbols numbers 30, 8, 3, thiscould be deemed a successful play because of the selection of 9 and 30which were generated by the arrangement. Here the first roulette gamewas not a success, but the game overall was. Similarly, if the generatedsymbols were 3, 6, 30, 11, this too could be deemed a win by virtue ofthe successful selection of numbers 6 and 30. Clearly the level of win,and thus payout, will reflect the statistical odds of success.

In either case, once the play symbols have been selected and therespective symbols generated by the arrangement the comparator 22Acompares the numbers generated for the first and second roulette gameswith the respective numbers generated by the arrangement. If theselected and generated numbers correspond to a predetermined degree, thegame is deemed successful.

As indicated, in a still further embodiment it is a requirement for theselected one play symbol to correspond with the generated one playsymbol before the user can play the second roulette game. In the eventof such successful play of the first roulette game the user chooses toplay the second roulette game, any additional credit required must beinserted to activate the apparatus for the second game. The ball 20 isremoved from the wheel 16 by suitable means known in the art, forexample by causing the hub of the wheel 16 to pivot to allow the ball tofall into a collection arrangement 58. It will be appreciated that anyother suitable means, such as removal by hand, may be employed. The userthen taps the appropriate buttons 48 on the selection arrangement 12 toselect at least two further numbers for use in the second roulette game.After each number is tapped in, the user presses the ‘ENTER’ button 52to store each selected number in the memory 22B. It is to be noted thatall of the numbers which were available for selection for the firstroulette game are available for selection for the second roulette game,including the number previously selected by the user for the first game.The same number may be selected more than once for the second game.

The user then presses the start button 56 and the ball 20 is once againintroduced to the wheel 16 by the ball introduction means 18 after thewheel 16 is accelerated back to its desired speed to again locate in oneof the areas 16A. The number of the area 16A into which the ball 20locates is again sensed and this information is stored in the memory22B. The ball 20 is again removed from the wheel 16, as described above,and is subsequently reintroduced to the wheel 16 by the ballintroduction means 18 to again locate in one of the areas 16A. Thenumber of the area 16A into which the ball 20 locates is again sensedand stored in the memory 22B. This process is repeated sequentially forthe second game until the plurality of numbers generated by the rouletteassembly 14 for the second game corresponds to the quantity of numbersselected by the user for the second game. The quantity of numbers thatcan be selected may be determined by the level of credit inputted to theapparatus.

Following generation of the requisite quantity of numbers for the secondroulette game, the comparator 22A compares the numbers selected by theuser with those generated by the roulette assembly 14 and provides theuser with a win when a predetermined degree of correspondence betweenthe selected numbers and the generated numbers is achieved. The degreeof correspondence may provide for different win scenarios, as follows.

In a first win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win when some ofthe numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement, the order of selection and generation of the numbers beingirrelevant. For example, if the user has selected six numbers, e.g. 1 to6 in any order, the apparatus 10 may provide a win if two or more ofthose numbers, e.g. 3 and 5, are generated in any order by the roulettearrangement.

In a second win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win when someof the numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement in the same order that the numbers were selected. Forexample, if the user has selected the numbers 1 to 6 in that order, hemay receive a win if the numbers 3 and 5 are generated by the roulettearrangement in that order. Thus, the user would receive a win if thenumbers 2, 15, 17, 3, 30, 28 were generated by the roulette arrangement,but would not receive a win if the number 3 was generated before thenumber 2 since these numbers would not have been generated in the orderin which they were selected by the user.

In a third win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win when some ofthe numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement in the same sequence that the numbers were selected by theuser. For example, if the user has selected the numbers 1 to 6 in thatsequence, he may receive a win if the numbers 2 and 3 are generated bythe roulette arrangement in that sequence. Thus, the user would receivea win if the numbers 15, 17, 2, 3, 30, 28 were generated by the roulettearrangement since the numbers 2 and 3 were generated in the samesequence that they were selected by the user.

In a fourth win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win only whenall of the numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement, the order of selection and generation of the numbers beingirrelevant. For example, if the user has selected six numbers, e.g. 1 to6 in any order, the apparatus 10 will provide a win if all of thenumbers 1 to 6 are generated in any order by the roulette arrangement.

In a fifth win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win when all ofthe numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement in the same sequence that the numbers were selected by theuser. For example, if the user has selected the numbers 1 to 6 in thatsequence, he will receive a win only if all of the numbers 1 to 6 aregenerated by the roulette arrangement in the same sequence. In otherwords, the user would not receive a win if all of the numbers weregenerated in a different sequence, for example 1, 3, 2, 4, 5, 6.

In a sixth win scenario, the apparatus 10 may provide a win when all ofthe numbers selected by the user are generated by the roulettearrangement, but only some of those generated numbers are in the sameorder as the numbers selected by the user. For example, if the user hasselected the numbers 1 to 6 in that order, he may receive a win only ifall of the numbers 1 to 6 are generated by the roulette arrangement andif some of the numbers generated are in the same order as the order inwhich the numbers were selected. For example, the user would receive awin if the numbers 1 to 6 were generated by the roulette arrangement inthe order 2, 1, 6, 4, 3, 5 since all of the selected numbers have beengenerated, and the numbers 1, 3, 5 have been generated in the same orderin which the user selected them.

In all of the above win scenarios, the amount of the win provided to theuser by the apparatus 10 may vary dependent upon the degree ofcorrespondence between the selected and generated numbers. For example,the win may be greater when larger amounts of numbers are matched, orwhen the numbers are generated by the roulette arrangement in the sameorder or sequence in which they were selected by the user.

It should be appreciated that the above are merely illustrative examplesof different win scenarios in which different predetermined degrees ofcorrespondence between the selected and the generated numbers may resultin a win for the user. Other win scenarios with alternative oradditional predetermined degrees of correspondence may exist in whichthe apparatus 10 may provide a user with a win.

Due to the step of removing the ball 20 from the roulette wheel 16 aftereach number is generated for the second roulette game, each time a ball20 is introduced to the roulette wheel 16 it can be located in any oneof the areas 16A of the roulette wheel 16. Thus, the same number can begenerated during play of the second roulette game in successiveoperations of the roulette assembly 14.

In an alternative embodiment, after each ball 20 is located into one ofthe areas 16A, it could remain in that area 20 whilst a subsequent ball20 is introduced, and so on. Thus, after each ball 20 has beenintroduced, the number of areas 16A into which the succeeding balls 20can be located is reduced.

In a yet further embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, a gaming assembly 150 isprovided in which a plurality of gaming apparatus 10 according to thepresent invention are linked to a central processing unit 152. Each ofthe gaming apparatus 10 operates independently of the others, with theexception that the central processing unit 152 registers that aproportion of the money inserted into each apparatus 10, for example 3%,is available to win by the players of any of the gaming apparatus 10comprised in the gaming assembly 150. Thus, if a player should win bymatching, for example, three or more of his selected numbers for thesecond roulette game with the numbers generated by the roulette wheelassembly 14 for the second roulette game in the manner described above,the user would win the cumulative amount of the money collected fromeach of the other gaming apparatus 10.

The gaming apparatus 10 may be a stand alone apparatus which plays theabove game in accordance with the invention, or it may be asupplementary apparatus to a roulette arrangement 200, as shown in FIG.4, in which a main roulette assembly 214 has provided thereon aplurality of consoles 210, for respective users. The main rouletteassembly 214 is provided within a table upon which the consoles 210 aremounted.

Each of the consoles 210 represents an individual gaming apparatuscomprising many of the same features as the apparatus 10 shown in FIGS.1 and 2, and these features have been designated by the same referencenumerals.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 may be a gaming apparatus suitable forplaying a traditional game of roulette on the roulette assembly 214. Theroulette arrangement 200 may be configured or programmed to play thetraditional game of roulette the majority of the time, and to play, as asubsidiary game, the game described in the preceding paragraphs, inother words to play a first roulette game followed by a second roulettegame, as already described in detail.

With the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the roulette arrangement 200operates generally in the same way as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1and 2 with the exception that the single roulette assembly 214 of FIG. 4generates the numbers for the first and second games required by each ofthe consoles 210. Thus, a user of any of the consoles 210 may win ifsome or all of the numbers he or she has selected for the second gamecorrespond to the numbers generated for the second game by the wheel 16of the roulette assembly 214.

In a further alternative (not shown) the main roulette assembly 214 islocated remotely from the playing consoles 210. Such an arrangement mayfind particular use where the roulette assembly 214 is operable by acroupier, or other manual operative.

There is thus described a game of roulette which comprises playing afirst roulette game essentially in the same manner as a traditional gameof roulette, and playing a second roulette game after successful play ofthe first game in which at least two further numbers are selected by auser which the user believes will be generated by the roulette wheel 16during the second game, for example by at least two spins of the wheelin the second roulette game.

There is also described a game comprising first and second roulettegames, where it is not necessary for successful play of the firstroulette game to play the second roulette game and achieve overallsuccess of the game. In particular, where there is only one further playsymbol selected in the second roulette game, successful play of the gamecan be achieved by the symbols generated in the first and second gamesbeing the same as the selected symbols, but generated in a differentorder. The arrangement may provide for this to be a successful win, butthe win value would generally be less than when the order of selectionand generation are also the same, i.e. where the first game was alsosuccessfully played.

Where a plurality of further play symbols is selected for the secondroulette game, it is not always necessary for successful play of thefirst game for the user to play the second game and secure a win eitherinvolving the first game symbol as generally discussed above, or byachieving a predetermined degree of correspondence between the selectedand generated further play symbols in the second roulette game.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in thepreceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should beappreciated that various modifications to the examples given may be madewithout departing from the scope of the present invention. For example,the second roulette game may comprise the selection of any number ofplay symbols. The play symbols may be of a form other than numbers.

Whilst endeavoring in the foregoing specification to draw attention tothose features of the invention believed to be of particular importance,it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respectof any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbeforereferred to and/or shown in the drawings, whether or not particularemphasis has been placed thereon.

1. Gaming apparatus comprising a roulette arrangement operable toprovide a game comprising first and second roulette games, and aselection arrangement operable by a user for selecting one play symbolfor the first roulette game and for selecting at least one further playsymbol for the second roulette game.
 2. Gaming apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, in which the selection arrangement is operable for selecting atleast two further play symbols for the second roulette game.
 3. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the selection arrangement isoperable by a user for selecting said one play symbol for the firstroulette game prior to play of the first roulette game.
 4. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the selection arrangement isoperable by a user for selecting said further play symbols for thesecond roulette game following play of the first roulette game. 5.Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 4, in which the selectionarrangement is operable by a user for selecting said further symbolsfollowing successful play of the first roulette game.
 6. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the selection arrangement isoperable by a user for selecting said one play symbol for the firstroulette game and said further play symbol(s) for the second roulettegame prior to play of the first roulette game.
 7. Gaming apparatus asclaimed in claim 1, in which the selection arrangement enables a user toselect the same play symbol for the or one or more of the further playsymbols as the said one play symbol.
 8. Gaming apparatus as claimed inclaim 1, in which the roulette arrangement is operable to generate oneplay symbol for the first roulette game.
 9. Gaming apparatus as claimedin claim 1, in which the roulette arrangement is operable to generate atleast one further play symbol for the second roulette game.
 10. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the roulette arrangement isoperable to generate said at least one further play symbol followingselection of said further play symbol(s) by a user.
 11. Gaming apparatusas claimed in claim 9, in which the further play symbols are generatedsequentially during successive operations of the roulette arrangement.12. Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 9, in which the roulettearrangement is operable to generate said further play symbols during asingle operation of the roulette arrangement.
 13. Gaming apparatus asclaimed in claim 9, in which the roulette arrangement is operable togenerate a number of play symbols in the second roulette gamecorresponding to the number of further play symbols selected by the userfor the second roulette game.
 14. Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim9, in which the arrangement is operable to generate said further playsymbols following successful play of the first roulette game.
 15. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the gaming apparatus includesa storage arrangement for storing said selected one play symbol for thefirst roulette game and for storing said selected further play symbol(s)for the second roulette game.
 16. Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim15, in which the gaming apparatus includes a comparator for comparingsaid stored selected one play symbol with said generated one playsymbol.
 17. Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which thecomparator provides for play of the second roulette game when saidstored selected one play symbol corresponds with said generated one playsymbol.
 18. Gaming apparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which thecomparator is also arranged to compare the stored selected further playsymbol(s) with said generated further play symbol(s).
 19. Gamingapparatus as claimed in claim 16, in which the gaming apparatus includeswin providing means associated with the comparator for providing a winwhen a predetermined combination of selected and generated play symbolsis achieved during the first game.
 20. Gaming apparatus as claimed inclaim 19, in which the win providing means only provides a win if theorder of selection of the said further play symbols is the same as theorder of generation of the further play symbols.
 21. Gaming apparatus asclaimed in claim 19, in which the win providing means provides a winupon a predetermined degree of correspondence between the selected andgenerated symbols being achieved.
 22. A method of operating gamingapparatus including a roulette arrangement operable to provide a gamecomprising first and second roulette games, the method comprisingselecting one play symbol for the first roulette game and selecting atleast one further play symbol for the second roulette game.
 23. A methodas claimed in claim 22, in which the method comprises selecting said oneplay symbol and said at least one further play symbols prior to play ofthe first roulette game.
 24. A method as claimed in claim 22, in whichthe method comprises selecting at least two further play symbols for thesecond roulette game.
 25. A method as claimed in claim 22, in which themethod comprises selecting said one play symbol for the first roulettegame and subsequently playing the first roulette game.
 26. A method asclaimed in claim 24, in which the method comprises selecting said atleast two further play symbols following successful play of the firstroulette game.
 27. A method as claimed in claim 24, in which the methodcomprises playing the second roulette game following selection of saidat least two further play symbols.
 28. A method as claimed in claim 22,in which the step of selecting the further play symbol comprisesselecting the same play symbol for the or one or more of the furtherplay symbol(s) as the user selected as the said one play symbol.
 29. Amethod as claimed in claim 22, in which the method comprises storingsaid selected one play symbol and said selected further play symbol(s).30. A method as claimed in claim 22, in which the method comprisesgenerating one play symbol for the first roulette game.
 31. A method asclaimed in claim 22, in which the method comprises generating at leastone further play symbol for the second roulette game following selectionof said further play symbol(s) by a user.
 32. A method as claimed inclaim 31, in which the method comprises generating the further playsymbols sequentially during successive operations of the roulettearrangement.
 33. A method as claimed in claim 32, in which the methodcomprises generating the further play symbol(s) during a singleoperation of the roulette arrangement.
 34. A method as claimed in claim31, in which the method comprises generating a number of further playsymbols for the second roulette game corresponding to the number offurther play symbols selected by the user for the second roulette game.35. A method as claimed in claim 31, in which the step of playing thesecond roulette game comprises playing a plurality of individual games,each of said further play symbols being generated by each of theindividual games.
 36. A method as claimed in claim 31, in which thefurther play symbols may only be generated following successful play ofthe first roulette game.
 37. A method as claimed in claim 30, in whichthe method comprises comparing said selected one play symbol with saidgenerated one play symbol for the first roulette game and enabling playof the second roulette game when said selected one play symbol and saidgenerated one play symbol correspond.
 38. A method as claimed in claim31, in which the method comprises comparing stored selected further playsymbols with said generated further play symbols for the second roulettegame and providing a win when a predetermined combination of selectedand generated play symbols is achieved during the first and/or secondand/or both games.
 39. A method as claimed in claim 30, in which themethod comprises providing a win when said selected one play symbolcorresponds to said generated one play symbol.
 40. A method as claimedin claim 31, in which the method comprises providing a win when theselected further play symbol(s) correspond to further play symbol(s)generated for said second game.
 41. A method as claimed in claim 40, inwhich the method comprises providing a win if the order of selection ofthe said further play symbols is the same as the order of generation ofthe further play symbols.
 42. A method as claimed in claim 31, in whichthe method comprises providing a win upon a predetermined degree ofcorrespondence between the selected play symbols and the generated playsymbols being achieved.